RSPCA cattery in Cheshire caring for ‘unprecedented’ number of kittens

An RSPCA cattery in Cheshire says it is taking in stray and abandoned kittens at an ‘alarming’ rate and is urging the public to do their bit by getting their pets neutered.

Stapeley Grange Cattery in Nantwich is currently looking after 45 kittens under six months old and says it has taken in an ‘unprecedented number’ of young cats this summer.

With new arrivals every week and cattery space full, staff have launched an urgent appeal for prospective adopters to get in touch.

Five-week-old kittens Nick, Charlie, Elle and Tao (two of them pictured above) are receiving intensive care after they were rescued during heavy rain on 8 September by a member of the public in Crewe.

Soaking wet, shivering and covered in fleas, it’s believed their mum - who couldn’t be found - may have moved them from where she had given birth because of flooding. The kittens, three males and one female, are currently being hand-reared by a member of staff at the cattery and are putting on weight and doing well.

Three days earlier, 11-week-old black kittens Galaxy, Rolo, Smartie, Sherbert and Skittle (below) were brought in after they were found in Wistaston, again with no sign of their mum. The three males and two females will all be available for rehoming soon after they've been neutered.

Black and white Cheddar and her family are also some of the current residents. Cheddar, who wasn’t microchipped, arrived at Stapeley at the end of last month after she was found with her five kittens - four males and one female - in another garden in Crewe. She is only between six and 12 months old herself.

Stapeley's Deputy Cattery Manager Nicola Chilton said:

“We’ve never known a summer as challenging as this one, the numbers coming through our doors have been unprecedented. Currently we’re caring for 45 kittens and only four adult cats and we know other animal welfare charities are facing a difficult time too.

“We have no firm answers but we think some pet owners could be avoiding having their cats neutered because of the cost, while others think they’ll easily be able to rehome a litter of kittens if they have one and then find they’re not able to.

“The demand for pets also soared during the pandemic and backstreet breeders have been able to make more money by selling kittens online. Coupled with the cost of living, it’s resulted in an alarming number of cats and kittens coming into our care, many of whom have compromised welfare. 

“If you are considering buying a kitten, we would urge people to use the Kitten Checklist.”

Cats are prolific breeders, with one female capable of giving birth to up to 18 kittens a year. For the cat population to be effectively managed, the timing of neutering - as well as the overall number of cats neutered - is critical. 

Female cats should be neutered at four months old, before they are able to become pregnant. Sadly many, like Cheddar, are unneutered by the time they reach a year old, meaning they could have already had at least one litter. 

Not only does neutering help reduce the unwanted cat population, it also means cats lead healthier, happier lives. Neutered cats are less likely to roam far from home or get into fights with other cats, both of which can increase their risk of injury or picking up illnesses.

Nationally the animal welfare charity is experiencing what it has called a ‘cat crisis,’ with the charity currently paying to board around 170 cats in private boarding facilities because its own rehoming centres are full. 

More than 7,500 cats were reported to the RSPCA as abandoned last year, with unexpected litters of kittens being dumped or given up and then taken into the charity's care. 

RSPCA Advice

• If your cat is unneutered please make a vet appointment for them as soon as possible to help reduce the number of unwanted kittens being born

• If you find an abandoned cat or kitten in a public place, please take them to a vet immediately

• If you suspect a cat or kitten has been abandoned in a property, please contact the RSPCA to report this on 0300 1234 999

• Some animal welfare charities like the RSPCA, Cats Protection and Blue Cross offer financial support towards the cost of this for owners on a low income.

Visit Stapeley Grange’s website for details of the cats and kittens who are currently up for adoption.

The site is regularly updated and more animals will be added once they are ready for rehoming. 

Pictured - Black and white Cheddar and her family are some of the current residents.